Pneumatic pistol with means for varying the compressed air pressure



y 8, 1968 K. R. PITCHER 3,335,279

PNEUMATIC PISTOL WITH MEANS FOR VARYING THE COMPRESSED AIR PRESSURE Original Filed July 28, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 25 g ,4 25 5 22 25 g; E 42 34 i J7 F u 1 24 27 l Y L L X B INVENTOR.

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ay 28, 1968 K. R. PITCHER 3,385,279

PNEUMATIC PISTOL WITH MEANS FOR VARYING THE COMPRESSED AIR PRESSURE Original Filed July 28, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 KEN/v57 E. 1 /70/52 INVENTOR.

May 28, 1968 K. R. PITCHER 3,385,279

PNEUMATIC PISTOL WITH MEANS FOR VARYING THE COMPRESSED AIR PRESSURE Original Filed July 28, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 KENNETH R. Bra-IE2 a? Wig W fir TOENEYS- y 1968 K. R. PITCHER PNEUMATIC PISTOL WITH MEANS FOR VARYING THE COMPRESSED AIR PRESSURE Driginal Filed July 28, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Law :vvw

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3,385,279 PNEUMATIC PISTOL WITH MEANS FOR VARYING THE COMPRESSED AIR PRESSURE Kenneth R. Pitcher, Encino, Calif, assignor to Health- Ways, Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of California Original application July 28, 1961, Ser. No. 127,672, now Patent No. 3,236,222, dated Feb. 22, 1966. Divided and this application Oct. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 498,230

3 Claims. (Cl. 124-15) This is a division of application Ser. No. 127,672, filed July 28, 1961, now Patent No. 3,236,222, issued Feb. 22, 1966.

This invention relates to a pneumatic pistol or small arms weapon of the type in which manual retraction of the hammer automatically cocks a trigger. More particularly, this invention relates to a small arms weapon for propelling missiles such as darts or BBs.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a new spring-powered pneumatic pistol.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new spring power unit in which the spring power may be adjusted without exerting any force on the springs. To accomplish this purpose, a unique coupling device is provided between the hammer and the spring power unit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pneumatic pistol that externally resembles a western style revolver.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the following true-scale drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a pistol incorporating the present invention, the cover being removed from the frame, portions of the apparatus being broken away and portions of the apparatus being illustrated in section;

FIG. 2 is an exploded pictorial view illustrating the several parts comprising the pistol;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the apparatus immediately after firing;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the manner in which the power of the pistol is augmented;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 7--7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation illustrating the barrel, magazine and firing head, a portion of the apparatus being broken away and illustrated in section;

FIGS. 9, and 11 are sectional views, taken along planes corresponding, respectively, to lines 9-9, 10-10 and ll-1'1 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 1212: of FIG. 10.

A spring powered pistol is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the pistol includes a frame A made of cast metal and having a handle 10', a barrel 11 and cennited States Patent 0 Patented May 28, 1968 tral walls 12 forming a cavity 13 in which operative parts of the pistol are contained. The central cavity 13 is closed by a cover B also made of cast metal.

In external appearance the central walls 12 of the frame A and the cover B simulate a revolving cylinder. In the space thereby enclosed, is an air cylinder C, as shown in FIG. 1. The cylinder C may be made from tubular stock material. Air in the cylinder is forced into the barrel 11. A firing head D is interposed between the cylinder and the righthand end of the cylinder. The firing head releasably holds a missile in the air path.

The lefthand end of the cylinder is held in place by a transverse internal lug 14 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) formed on the frame A, and a corresponding companion lug 15 (FIG. 4) formed .on the cover B. The righthand end of the cylinder C fits about a rearwardly facing circular land or register .16 at the rear end of the firing head D and is sealed thereto, as by epoxy cement. The firing head B extends upwardly, downwardly and laterally of the circular land area 16.

The firing head D is confined against surface 18 (FIG. 4) located at the forward end of the cavity 13 and formed in part by the frame A and in part by the cover B. The firing head D has a frontal surface :19 that fits the surface 18. An internal lug 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) at the upper end of the frame cavity, and a companion part .on the cover B (not shown) engage behind the upper end of the firing head D to hold it in position. An internal lug 21 (FIG. 2) on the frame A engages behind the lower end of the firing head D for the same purpose. The cover B has corresponding lugs.

'Ihe firing head D has a through passage 22 (FIG. 4) in which a missile F is held preparatory to firing. One end of the passage 22 opens in the circular land 16 and is thus in communication with the cylinder C. The other end of the passage 22 registers with a barrel insert E that is detachably held in the frame barrel 11 in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The barrel insert has a tubular part 23 that fits the end of the passage 22. An interiorly stepped bushing 24 lining the end of the passage 22 provides a shoulder engaged by the end of the part 23.

The firing head D has a frontal projection 25 extending about the bushing 24 and entering a recess 26 in the forward cavity wall '18 that surrounds the inner end of the bore 27 of the frame barrel 11. This ensures alignment of the head passage '22 with the bore 27 of .the frame barrel 11 so that the tubular part 23 of the barrel insert E passes easily into the bushing 24 without encountering any discontinuity.

In order to pressurize the cylinder C appropriately to propel the missile, a piston structure G is provided. The piston G has a body 28 which at its inner or forward end mounts a piston ring 29 of resilient flexible material, such as rubber. The ring 29 is formed generally as a cup with a peripheral flange extending forwardly. A retainer 30 placed over the central portion of the piston ring 29 clamps the ring 29 to the piston body 28. A screw 31 is provided for this purpose.

The outer end of the piston body 28 carries an oil wick 32 to provide suitable lubrication for the interior surface of the cylinder B.

Due to the forward disposition of the flange of the sealing ring 29, friction urges the ring outwardly and to seal the cylinder when the piston G moves forwardly. Friction urges the ring inwardly when the piston moves rearwardly. This check-valve type arrangement permits easy retraction of the piston G to charge it with air; yet the cylinder is sealed on the work stroke of the piston.

For connection to a suitable actuator structure, the piston body 28 has a rearward projection 33 capable of extending through opposed ar-cuate recesses 34 and 35 (See also FIG. 2) in the companion lugs 14 and 15 of the frame A and cover B.

The actuating structure in the present example appears to be a conventional hammer H. The hammer H and the piston G are connected by a rod '1. One end of the rod 1 is received within a shallow central recess 36 of the hammer (FIG. and a connection is established by a pin J. The rearward projection 33 of the piston is slotted as at 37 (FIGS. 2 and 4) to receive the other end of the connecting rod I. A pin K achieves the requisite connection.

The hammer H has a central pivot plate 38 (FIGS. 2 and 5) having an aperture 39 (FIGS. 2 and 3) by the aid of which the hammer H is journalled on a hardened hollow steel bushing 40 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The bushing 40 is force fitted in an embossment 41 of the pistol frame A. The hammer H extends radially outwardly of the bushing 40 and through a clearance space provided by opposed edges 42 and 43 of the frame A and cover B located behind the cylinder C and above the handle The hammer H may be moved from the position of FIG. 5 in which the piston G is retracted to the position of FIG. 1 in which the piston G has advanced. During this movement, the connecting link I moves between the opposed surfaces 42 and 43 of the frame A and cover B, and between the arcuate lug recesses 34 and 35. Engagement of the hammer H with lugs 14 and determines the forward limit.

In order to provide energy for quickly moving the hammer H so that propelling pressure is developed in the cylinder C, two coil springs L and M are provided, located respectively beneath and along opposite sides of the cylinder C. The coil spring L is at all times connected to the hammer H, whereas the spring M is selectively coupled to the hammer H in a manner to be herein-after described, whereby the power of the air pistol can be selected.

A sear N has a non-circular peripheral contour to fit a corresponding recess 44 in the outer surface of the hearing plate 38 of the hammer H for movement therewith. The sear N has a projection 45 for anchoring one end of the spring L. This projection 45 is suitably located in spaced relationship to .the axis of the hammer H. The other end of the spring is connected to a projection '46 formed on the outer side of the firing head D. Due to the location of the projection 45, energy is stored in the spring L when the hammer H is moved rearwardly to retract the piston G.

For releasably holding the hammer H in the position of FIG. 1 and corresponding to storing of energy in the spring L, a pawl O is provided. The pawl 0, like the sear N, is made of flat hardened steel stock, and has a noncircular peripheral contour to fit a corresponding recess 47 in the outer face of a trigger P. The trigger P and the pawl O are pivotally mounted on a steel pin 48 projecting outwardly from the bottom of the frame cavity 12. The pin 48 is press fitted in a boss 53 (FIG. 2).

The trigger P has a finger piece 49 that extends downwardly through a slot 50 in a wall 51 forming the lower boundary of the frame cavity 12. The finger piece 49 is surrounded by a suitable trigger guard 52, integrally formed on the frame A. A coil spring Q is seated about the boss 53. One end of the spring Q engages the lower wall 51 and the other end engages the trigger P to urge it in a counterclockwise direction about its pin 48.

The pawl O has an operative projection 54 cooperable with the sear N. The spring Q causes the projection 54 to ride along a forward cam surface 55 of the sear N (FIG. 5).

As the hammer is retracted against the force of spring L, the cam surface 55 rocks the pawl O in a clockwise direction against the force of coil spring Q until the pawl projection 54 passes a latching surface 56 of the sear N. This corresponds to full retraction of the hammer. When the hammer is released, the pawl O by engagement with surface 56 holds the hammer against advancement. When the trigger P is manually moved in a clockwise direction, the pawl O clears the sear N, and the hammer rapidly moves forwardly to the position of FIG. 5, propelling the missile.

The second power spring M has one end attached to a projection 57 on the inner side of the firing head D (FIG. 7). Its other end is attached to a projection 53 formed on a pivot plate R. This pivot late R is carried by the hollow bushing 46 and is confined between the bearing plate 38 and the frame boss 41, as shown in FIG. 3. The pivot plate R has a shoulder 59 that is located beneath a small lug 60 (FIG. 2) formed on the frame A. The shoulder 59 engages this lug 60 under the action of the coil spring M to determine a limited position thereof.

The pivot plate R may selectively be coupled to the hammer H by the aid of a coupling screw S (FIGS. 3 and 6). This screw has a central threaded portion 61 by the aid of which it is carried on the hammer H. Thus, the screw engages an aperture 62 in the hammer bearing plate 38, located in spaced relationship to the hammer axis. The screw has a reduced unthreaded projection 63 at its end capable of entering an aperture 64 in the pivot plate R when the screw is advanced inwardly of the bearing plate aperture 62 (FIG. 6). In this position, retraction of the hammer results in corresponding retraction of the pivot plate R and against the force of the supplemental spring M. Accordingly, power of the air pistol is increased. The screw S has a slotted head 65 recesses into the side of the bearing plate whereby the screw can be advanced or retracted to couple or uncouple the pivot plane R.

The coupling screw S is aligned with the aperture 64 of the pivot plate R when the hammer H is in the inactive position of FIG. 5. Access to the coupling screw S at the lower corner of the cavity 12 and at the upper end of the handle 10, is provided by removal of the grip T which is detachably carried on one side of the frame handle 10.

The manner in which the grip T is detachably carried will be described in connection with the second form of the present invention.

The firing head D carries a slider U (FIG. 8) that serves to transfer or elevate missiles one by one from a magazine V to the firing head passage 22. The magazine V extends along the exterior of the frame barrel 11 and will be described more fully hereinafter.

The slider U is reciprocable between limits in a vertical aperture 65 that intersects the firing head passage 22 at right angles. The slider has an end projecting beneath the head D and into the frame cavity 12. The slider U has a through stepped aperture 66 that in effect forms, in one position of the slider, a part of the firing head passage 22. In another position (FIG. 8), the aperture 66 registers with the magazine V and receives a missile therein. The recesses and passages establishing communication between the magazine and the slider aperture 66 will be presently described.

The magazine V is formed as a channel, with the channel opening closed by the exterior surface of the frame barrel 11. The inner end of the magazine is open, and registers with a channel 67 (FIG. 8) formed between two lugs 68 and 68' (FIG. 8) of the frame A. This channel 67 inclines inwardly toward the plane that includes the axis of the slider aperture 65 and the axis of the barrel 11 or insert E. The inwardly inclined channel 67 in turn registers with an inwardly inclined channel 67' (FIGS. 8 and 9) formed in the firing head B. The channel 67 intersects the slider aperture 65 beneath the firing passage 22.

The cover B, as shown in FIG. 9, has a projection 69 that serves to close the channels 67 and 67' adequately to guide the missiles to the slider U.

When the slider U is moved downwardly, its aperture 66 registers with the channel 67 and receives a missile F. A high density cylindrical permanent magnet 70 (FIG. 8) force fitted in the upper end of the slider has a pole exposed at the slider recess 66, and serves to attract the missile therein.

When the slider U is moved upwardly, a missile is elevated to the firing head passage 22. The magnet 70 releasably holds the missile preparatory to firing, the shoulder 71 forming a seat towards which the missile is attracted.

A transverse pin 72 (FIG. 8) aflixed to the slider U reciprocates in the slot 73 formed in the firing head D accurately to determine opposite limits to the movement of the slider U.

The slider U is operated automatically upon retraction of the hammer H and as shown most clearly in FIG. 1. For this purpose, a yielding connection is established between the trigger P and the slider U by a spring W. The spring W has a central coiled portion 74 journalled upon an integrally cast pin 75 of the frame A. The pin 75 is located just forwardly of the trigger P. One end of the spring W is returned about a laterally projecting pin 76 formed on an adjacent portion of the trigger P. The other end: of the leaf spring passes through an aperture 77 in the lower projecting end of the slider U.

In the phantom-line position of FIG. 5 corresponding to the inactive position of the trigger and to the parts, the spring W is urged by pin 76 in a clockwise direction, carrying the slider U downwardly for registry of its aperture 66 with the magazine channels 67 and 68. As the trigger is moved to the position of FIG. 1, the spring W is moved in a counterclockwise direction, carrying the slider U upwardly so that the slider aperture 66 registers with the firing passage 22. The parts are so proportioned that the slider U reaches its respective limits of movement before the trigger reaches the corresponding limits of movement just described. The spring W allows this overrunning movement. During such overrunning movement, the spring W stores energy and exerts a positive seating force of the slider U ensuring its registry with the magazine and firing passage respectively. Trigger release of sear N occurs after the slider has reached its upper limit of movement, and the missile is thus appropriately positioned at the moment of firing.

The barrel insert E (as shown in FIG. 12) includes in addition to the tubular part 23, a conical head 78 having a stepped bore 79 in which the outer end of the tubular part 23 is fitted. The shoulder 79' formed interiorly of the bore 79 is engaged by the end of the tubular part, and the outer end of bore 79 forms a uniform continuation of the interior of the tubular part 23 adequately to guide the outward course of the missile.

The frame barrel 11 has a configuration corresponding to that of the barrel insert E for its reception. An

ejector spring X is interposed between an intermediate, outwardly facing shoulder 80 of the frame barrel bore 27 and the inner end of the conical head 78. The barrel insert E compresses the ejector spring X as it is placed in position. A latching pin attached to the magazine V serves as a means for releasably holding the barrel insert E in position and against the force of the ejector spring X. The latching pin 81 extends through a clearance slot 82 in the frame barrel 11 for engagement with an annular groove 83 in the conical head 77.

The magazine V is mounted for limited tilting movement about its lefthand or inner end to allow the latching pin 81 to be retracted for ejection of the barrel insert E. For this purpose, the lefthand end of the magazine V has a small projection 84 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). The cover has a suitable notch or aperture for receiving this projection 84. The opposite or outer end of the magazine V is attached to the frame barrel 11 by the aid of a screw Y, as shown in FIG, 12. The screw has a reduced threaded end 85 engaging a threaded recess 86 of the frame barrel 11, the shoulder 87 formed by the reduced end engaging the barrel 11. The screw Y including its head 88 is received in an aperture 89 formed in the magazine, and located beyond the pin 81. A coil spring Z engages the head 88 and an outwardly facing shoulder or step 91 formed in the aperture 89 to urge the magazine V against the barrel 11.

The parts are so designed that the magazine V has a permitted movement away from the frame barrel ii, the limit being determined by the space between the turns of the coil spring Z. The slight movement does not permit the missiles F to escape from the magazine, but does permit the barrel insert to be released.

When the barrel insert E is moved into the frame barrel 11, the outer conical surface of the head 77 serves automatically to cam the pin, and the magazine V outwardly until the pin snaps in the groove 83 suitably. The removable feature allows the placement of a dart in the end of the tubular part 23. When so placed at the inner end of the barrel, rather than at the outer end, the space in which the propelling pressure is generated is yet confined; hence, the power is as expeditiously applied to a dart as to the round metal missiles F.

The missiles F are urged outwardly of the magazine V and toward the firing head D by the aid of a push rod AA slidable in the channel formed in the magazine V. A light compression spring BB behind the push rod AA provides the force for missile advancement. The push rod AA has a finger piece 92 extending along the under surface of the frame barrel 11 to serve as a means for its retraction against the force of the advancing spring BB. When the push rod AA is retracted to its rear limit in the magazine V, a slot 93 (FIG. 8) is exposed for insertion of missiles.

The cover B is held in place by two screws 94 (FIGS. 3 and 6) and 95 (FIG. 8). The screw 94 engages the threaded interior of the hollow hammer mounting bushing 40, a boss 96 of the cover B holding the hammer bearing plate 38 and pivot plate R in place. The screw 95 engages a recess 98 of the frame A (FIG. 2) located just forwardly of the wall surface 18 at the base of the barrel 11.

The inventor claims:

1. In a small arms weapon: a frame; a barrel; means forming a cylinder in communication with the barrel; a piston reciprocable in the cylinder; a first member; said frame having means guiding said first member for movement in a path; means connecting said first member to said piston so that the piston follows the movement of said first member; a first spring connected to said first member for urging the member toward one end of its path; movement of said first member toward one end of said path corresponding to advancement of said piston; a second member separate from said first member; said frame having means guiding said second member for movement in a path substantially paralleling that of said first member; a second spring connected to said second member for urging it toward its corresponding end of its path; means releasably holding the first member away from its said one path end; and a selectively operable coupling optionally connecting the members for movement together.

2. In a small arms weapon: a frame; a barrel; means forming a cylinder in communication with the barrel; a piston reciprocable in the cylinder; a bearing pin carried by the frame; a hammer having a bearing plate mounted on the pin; a connecting rod between the hammer and the piston; a second plate mounted on the bearing pin on one side of the bearing plate; a first power spring connected between the hammer and the frame for urging the hammer in one angular direction corresponding to advancement of said iston; a second power spring connected between the second plate and the frame for urging the second plate in the said one angular direction; means determining limits to the movement of the plates and the hammer in said one direction; releasable trip means for holding the hammer away from its limit; and a screw mounted on one of the plates and capable of entering a recess in the other of the plates when the plates are at their corresponding limits to provide a selective coupling therebetween.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 in which a cover cooperates with said frame to enclose said cylinder, and in which said frame is provided with a removable grip that normally cooperates with said cover to enclose said plates, said screw being accessible upon removal of the grip.

8 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,117,935 5/1938 Benjamin et a1. 124--30 5 2,708,430 5/1955 Smith 124-14 2,977,951 4/1961 Cavin 12415 3,084,833 4/1963 Kline et a1. 124-51 X RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

10 DANTON O. OECHSLE, Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A SMALL ARMS WEAPON: A FRAME; A BARREL; MEANS FORMING A CYLINDER IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE BARREL; A PISTON RECIPROCABLE IN THE CYLINDER; A FIRST MEMBER; SAID FRAME HAVING MEANS GUIDING SAID FIRST MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT IN A PATH; MEANS CONNECTING SAID FIRST MEMBER TO SAID PISTON SO THAT THE PISTON FOLLOWS THE MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST MEMBER; A FIRST SPRING CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST MEMBER FOR URGING THE MEMBER TOWARD ONE END OF ITS PATH; MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST MEMBER TOWARD ONE END OF SAID PATH CORRESPONDING TO ADVANCEMENT OF SAID PISTON; A SECOND MEMBER SEPARATE FROM SAID FIRST MEMBER; SAID FRAME HAVING MEANS GUIDING SAID SECOND MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT IN A PATH SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLELING THAT OF SAID FIRST MEMBER; A SECOND SPRING CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND MEMBER FOR URGING IT TOWARD ITS CORRESPONDING END OF ITS PATH; MEANS RELEASABLY HOLDING THE FIRST MEMBER AWAY FROM ITS SAID ONE PATH END; AND A SELECTIVELY OPERABLE COUPLING OPTIONALLY CONNECTING THE MEMBERS FOR MOVEMENT TOGETHER. 